Shogun's first title defense

[J-Dogg]

Rampage/Rashad

Who has a better shot at beating him?

I'd side with Page and I think most would agree.

Rashad is a good fighter, but Shogun is really crafty on the ground. He's always liked to stand, and Rashad is not going to KO him like he did with Chucky's glass jaw. In the Matchita fight, was the first time we've actually seen Rashad have to take a punch, and it's probably safe to suspect his chin. Shogun would have high odds of KO'ing Rashad. Shogun's ground game is crafty and very tight too. Rashad is not a submission fighter, and Shogun would be hard to GnP cause he stays so busy rolling for your legs or arms on the ground it might be worse for Rashad on the ground. I don't think Rashad has the strength to keep him there either.

I feel Page would have a better shot. You can't really judge the fight from the GP in 2005 either. Page was half the fighter, and despite Shogun's recent improvement, I still don't think he's 100% back. Certainly on the track, but he was honestly just invincible in 2005. I think it would be a pretty good match up, and it I think we'll see it either way eventually.

Page was certainly exposed to Leg Kicks by forrest, but I also think Forrest is a VERY VERY effective striker with leg kicks because he's LONG. He's kicking your thigh from across the cage, keeping you outside of your range.

Shogun has to get a little closer. I also don't think Page should check the leg kicks with his style. He should step into them, or move forward into them and counter with punches at that point.

I don't know who will come out on top, but I know Shogun's fan base is HUGE right now. Most are going to want him to stay on top, but I'm not counting Rampage out. He proved 90% of MMA fans wrong after he beat Wandy, and he seems to have a desire to avenge his losses, might be what it takes to get him on track.

[toothache]

I'm going with Rampage.

[pskyle]

Rampage hands down

[yannick35]

I am going to sit down and enjoy that fight, not picking a winner on this one, they are both awsome fighters.

I do think that Rashad might take this fight more seriously then rampage tough.

[BG]

I agree with Yannick about Rashad/Page, I really think Rashad want to win this fight. He never lost since he first started, now he knows how it feels and Jackson's guys always rebound real well from losses.

I to hope Shogun stays on tiop, man he looked fearless against Machita, he looked more like the old Shogun then he has in a long time.

Did anyone noticed, I know it doesnt mean much, but both those fighters body's looked a little sloopy, Shogun doesnt usualy look great , but they both have looked much better conditioned. I know body doesnt mean they dont have good cardio, but you do need some decent muscle to fight on the ground. Was odd how both looked softer this time around.

[J-Dogg]

I recently watched a video interview with Rampage, but never copied the link.

To summarize the video:

He complains about the lack of pay to fighters.
States the UFC sold 10% of the company for 100million
Says the UFC should buy the top fighters a fancy car "or something"
(keep in mind he's dead serious)
Also brought up, on his own, he does not want to fight, his managers made the choice.
Oh, he lost to Forrest because he did not train, because he hurt his pinky finger


Anyone who knows me on this board, or argues with me, knows I am a Rampage fan. Even on TUF, I felt I understood his stance and why he was looked at as a bad coach.

But if a fighter does not want to fight, and honestly, for all the talent rampage has, he is a mental midget. His head is in the wrong place to beat a fighter like Rashad.

He did not train due to a pinky injury, he certainly is not training if he's this unhappy about fighting in the UFC.

[J-Dogg]

I recently watched a video interview with Rampage, but never copied the link.

To summarize the video:

He complains about the lack of pay to fighters.
States the UFC sold 10% of the company for 100million
Says the UFC should buy the top fighters a fancy car "or something"
(keep in mind he's dead serious)
Also brought up, on his own, he does not want to fight, his managers made the choice.
Oh, he lost to Forrest because he did not train, because he hurt his pinky finger


Anyone who knows me on this board, or argues with me, knows I am a Rampage fan. Even on TUF, I felt I understood his stance and why he was looked at as a bad coach.

But if a fighter does not want to fight, and honestly, for all the talent rampage has, he is a mental midget. His head is in the wrong place to beat a fighter like Rashad.

He did not train due to a pinky injury, he certainly is not training if he's this unhappy about fighting in the UFC.

[pskyle]

I recently watched a video interview with Rampage, but never copied the link.

To summarize the video:

He complains about the lack of pay to fighters.
States the UFC sold 10% of the company for 100million
Says the UFC should buy the top fighters a fancy car "or something"
(keep in mind he's dead serious)
Also brought up, on his own, he does not want to fight, his managers made the choice.
Oh, he lost to Forrest because he did not train, because he hurt his pinky finger


Anyone who knows me on this board, or argues with me, knows I am a Rampage fan. Even on TUF, I felt I understood his stance and why he was looked at as a bad coach.

But if a fighter does not want to fight, and honestly, for all the talent rampage has, he is a mental midget. His head is in the wrong place to beat a fighter like Rashad.

He did not train due to a pinky injury, he certainly is not training if he's this unhappy about fighting in the UFC.

I see what you are saying...strong analyzation. Hopefully the performance from both fighters will be great nonetheless

[icepick27]

I like both fighters ,and I think rampage is the better fighter. but call me crazy ,I think that with rampage only useing his hand to strike makes him very perdictable,knowing that you don't have to worry about kicks or takedowns ,and RING RUST is going to play a huge factor in this fight.rashad has everytghing on his side to upset rampage ,and I think he will.if rampage don't knock him out early rashad might steal the fight .my heart says rampage my mind says rashad.either way its going to be a great fight

[supermanfw]

RAMPAGE.....but i dont think he can beat shogun....but im think he has the best chance than rashad does

[shaihulud7]

I would love to see Shogun defending his title against Anderson Silva. Bad luck though Shogun is back for knee surgery and call me crazy but I think this is the end my friend. It took him for ever to come back from the last knee injury and he is still not 100%... Such a shame.

[smoky2004]

Personally for me, Shogun is the best MMA fighter out there, I would say he has been one of the best fighters in the world since his days in pride where he destroyed top opponents one after the other, he had a pretty tough time with injuries for a while which showed in his performances but now he's back and can't see any light-heavy beating him.

As much as I like Quinton Rampage, if he were to face Shogun again, it would be a repeat of the first fight they had.